Michigan

Toews and Cogliano put hockey friendship aside

DENVER - Less than three months ago, Andrew Cogliano and Jonathan Toews were leading Canada to its second straight gold medal in the World Junior Championship. Tonight, for the second time in two years they'll match up against each other in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan's Cogliano and North Dakota's Toews, both NHL first rounders, weren't linemates, but they played big roles in Canada's most-recent win.

"He plays like an NHL veteran already," Cogliano said. "We're good friends. We definitely shared a bond being some of the few college guys on that team."

Toews, who went third overall last year to the Chicago Blackhawks, scored three times in the shootout win in the semifinals against the United States.

Toews has 16 goals and 27 assists to rank fourth in the nation in scoring.

Michigan will have to decide whether to put out Cogliano's line out against North Dakota's top line, or T.J. Hensick's.